Chapter 219: Top-Level Duel, The Meaning of Life.

"Get out of my way!"

"I'll save Ace—"

Luffy fearlessly charged at the two Admirals, but Roman inside The White Knight armor didn't think the same:As long as we don't get killed, it's a success...

"Gear Second!"

"Gear Third!"

Facing the Admirals, Luffy went all out. Gear Second brought immense speed! And Gear Third, which should have caused his body to inflate and slow down, was tightly restrained by Roman's armor, increasing strength without reducing speed—"Gear Fourth - Pseudo!"

"Paper Dance - Rubber Gun!"

As the punch was thrown, the wind roared, carrying the thunderous momentum of a dragon's roar, crashing towards the two Admirals! At the same time, Roman and Luffy's Haki wrapped around the fist, perfectly unified.

"Good coordination, but—"

Akainu stepped forward and punched directly, intending to use top-level Armament Haki to overpower them!

Even combined, Roman and Luffy's Haki was nothing in front of an Admiral! However, as the fists collided, Luffy's 'fist' exploded into countless paper scraps, and his entire 'presence' vanished instantly. Akainu was stunned!

But Aokiji saw it clearly: in that instant, a large amount of paper moved to the fist to temporarily block Akainu's attack. Then the remaining paper wrapped around Luffy's figure, quickly fading and hiding his presence!

Taking advantage of the explosion, Luffy dove to the ground and slipped past the two Admirals. If it weren't for Aokiji's Observation Haki being honed to perfection, he might have been momentarily stunned.

This tactic definitely wasn't something the reckless Garp family kid could pull off, so:"One is extremely brave, the other extremely cautious."

Aokiji immediately saw through the contrasting emotions on Luffy, who had quietly bypassed him and Akainu. These two kids, who should have been as incompatible as ice and fire, were working together so perfectly... Is this what they call complementing each other?

"Hmph, a petty trick!"

Although momentarily deceived, as a top expert in Haki, martial arts, and Devil Fruit abilities, Akainu glanced behind him and noticed Luffy under the 'transparent page.' Just as he was about to turn and intercept—Boom—With a loud noise, a black dot with a long whistling trail approached rapidly, targeting Akainu! Following a metallic crash like a meteor hitting the ground, the impact created a large crater!

Waves of force spread from the crater, making the ground of Marineford heave like a drum, throwing everyone into the air.

The island tilted, the sea tore apart! Groups of Marines flailed in the air, as if the whole world had gone mad.

Amidst the smoke and dust, a tall figure with an overwhelming aura strode out.

"Gurararararara~~ Magma brat, don't just bully the youngsters!"

With a wild and domineering laugh, the tall figure's fist, wrapped in a brilliant light sphere, surged forward with immense power, stirring up sand along the way. In the blink of an eye, the light sphere reached Akainu! The vibrations from his fist shattered the air like glass, destroying everything in its path.

"Whitebeard!!"

In Akainu's furious roar, his magma fist, wrapped in Haki, met Whitebeard's vibrating attack without hesitation.

"Inugami Guren!"

Boom—As their fists collided, the immense violent force instantly shattered the ground within dozens of meters. The shockwave created visible waves, and the intense air pressure felt like a massive hammer, crushing the elite Marines within its range, causing internal injuries, muscle collapse, and bone fractures, killing them instantly!

The highly compressed energy storm spread from the two as the center, with debris and dust propelled in all directions, expanding the crater several times.

The power of a single punch, enough to shatter mountains and split peaks!!

"Everyone, take your positions, the world's strongest man is about to unleash his power!"

Unfortunately, Sengoku's warning was a bit late, as everyone around—mostly Marines—were already scrambling to escape! The aftermath of a top-tier battle could be deadly.

Crash,

A pair of white wings carried Luffy out of the shockwave's range, but as he looked up, he saw a sky full of ice!

"This stage is too early for you, go back—"

The calm Aokiji raised his hand, and an ice spear emitting intense cold spun like a wheel, surging towards Luffy like a tsunami.

As the ice spear approached, the surrounding air rapidly swirled around it, forming a massive vortex. The air affected by the ice instantly liquefied and solidified, creating a low-pressure vacuum that quickly formed a huge whirlwind, enveloping Luffy and leaving him no escape!

"Ice Block 'Pheasant Beak'!"

With a casual move, Aokiji unleashed a power capable of destroying armies! Although he didn't aim directly at Luffy, the icy whirlwind alone was enough to keep Luffy and The White Knight from advancing.

"Shining Crash!"

Accompanied by a rough voice, a figure shining like a diamond rushed in from behind! He flew forward with incredible speed, leaving afterimages in the air. If the sound was anything to go by, it was like thunder, not just one bolt, but hundreds converging into a single force, charging ahead of Luffy with unstoppable momentum!

Crack, crack, crack—Amidst the continuous sound of ice shattering, the diamond-covered man smashed Aokiji's 'Pheasant Beak' into countless ice shards and even sent Aokiji flying with immense power.

"Go, Ace's brother!"

"Oh!!"

With the two Admirals held back, Luffy, who responded loudly, was already arcing towards the execution platform, but in the next second:Swish, swish, swish, swish—!

Dense beams of light suddenly shot out, instantly riddling The White Knight's wings with holes, causing Luffy, who was about to reach Ace, to fall headfirst and once again be surrounded by Marines.

"Damn it, Roman! Roman?!"

But there was no response from Roman, as the paper on Luffy had been exhausted in the fierce battle! Meanwhile, on the high platform:

"Saint Roman, you're bleeding!"

"It's nothing."

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Roman calmly waved his hand. It was just a nosebleed from overexertion. Compared to Luffy constantly pushing his physical limits, it was nothing.

But... I didn't expect it to be used up so quickly...Thud!

Ace, kneeling on the execution platform, slammed his head down hard.

"I was so foolish, so foolish!! Why did I only realize it now..."

Roman glanced curiously at the tearful Ace.

"Pirate King 'Roger'? What does that guy have to do with me?"

Ace's forehead pressed against the platform.

'He was an evil demon, scum, filth!!''Because of him, this world suffers from pirates! Someone like him should be cut into pieces—''I heard anyone related to him by blood was executed? Damn it, if I ever meet Roger's kin, I'll drink their blood, eat their flesh...'His birth caused his mother's death, and his father was the object of everyone's hatred! So:What is the meaning of my existence in this world...

"Ace, I will definitely save you!!"

Below, Luffy's unyielding shout came from amidst the Marine elite's siege.

"Those who aren't afraid of death, charge with me!!"

Behind, Whitebeard led his wounded captains in a desperate charge towards the execution platform.

The meaning of coming to this world—

With such a brother, such a Pops, such comrades, what else is there to consider?!

"It's too twisted..."

Tears continuously fell from Ace's eyes, filled with mixed emotions.

"My brother, Pops, and comrades are falling one by one, covered in blood..."

"But I'm so happy that I can't stop crying!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Ace kept banging his forehead on the execution platform, causing drops of blood to trickle down, making Roman beside him raise an eyebrow.

Hmm, I was wrong.

I always thought Ace was just stubborn, but now it seems:Ace is mentally ill.

I'm not insulting him; I mean it in the literal sense. Because of Roger, Ace has always lacked self-identity, leading to latent suicidal tendencies!

Sigh, but whether it's neurosis or psychosis, the most important thing right now is:"Saint Roman!"

Sengoku's glance made Roman, who was about to make a 'move,' retract the paper at his feet.

Luffy, the rest is up to you.

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